Dutch company builds joystick with hydraulic force feedback

[Logos]

http://www.guru3d.com/article/paccus-fluid-head-force-feedback-hawk-joystick-interview/

http://www.guru3d.com/imageview.php?image=16535
http://www.guru3d.com/imageview.php?image=16536


Joysticks are available a dozen a dime, however when a new technology is applied to it, we get interested. Being Dutch myself, when a Dutch company is behind it .. we find it very interesting.

A Dutch based company called Paccus Interfaces is designing a new joystick which they think will be the icing on top of the cake when it comes to joysticks. Current Force Feedback joysticks are very imprecise according to Joseph Melskens from Paccus.

Paccus developed a totally new kind of joystick. One which is real 3D, is as precise and fast as a game mouse, has extra programmable keys, but most important has a unique (patented) fluid head force feedback, that can pull you out of your seat! This is not a toy, it is made from metal.

This new joystick will embed new hydraulic technology, ensuring extreme precision and a very precise and new gaming experience. According to Paccus It took them four years with funding from the European Union and help of the Technical University's of Delft and Eindhoven. The reason why they developed this is simple. All other sticks suck ?

Guru3D had an interview with Joseph Melskens from Paccus, we also have some examples of the prototype. And prototype, really mean PROTOTYPE as in not even close to a final design. The final product will be called Hawk and will be demonstrated at the Gamescom in Köln Germany, Augustus 2009.

[kiwi]

Kinda pricy, 250-400 euro.
I do agree that many joysticks suck but for games they describe Logitech extreme 3D does a pretty good job.

[saaya]

LOL

first impression: a sybian? ^^
second impression: a "company" built this? :D

nice but... are there any games with joystick support?
i mean despite those 2 or 3 flight sims?

[Yakyb]

mech warrior would be great for this

[Kuroimaho]

first impression: a sybian? ^^
second impression: a "company" built this? :D

LOL. When I saw that... thing, your second line was exactly what I thought.
A company would likely present it a bit better, likely without the newspapers under it.

[Hidetaka]

With engines this size it could rip my hand off.


Thanks God I can't afford it :ROTF:

[Bobsama]

LOL

first impression: a sybian? ^^
second impression: a "company" built this? :D

nice but... are there any games with joystick support?
i mean despite those 2 or 3 flight sims?

Freespace 2 definitely supports force feedback.

[EnJoY]

Erotic. :cool:

[soundood]

fantastic news :up: new joystick / no more microsoft flight sims.

i really dont kow whether to laugh or cry :shrug:

[VAdept]

Looks good except it won't be out in time for Jumpgate im sure :(. Will have to make do with the Saitek X52 Pro until then.

[Artmic]

I can imagine that thing failing, ripping someones hand off lol

[XSAlliN]

Kinda pricy, 250-400 euro.


That depends how you put it... Some spend same money for a CPU or GPU and in 2 or 3 years ( by the way thing are going) might be considered obsolete, wile this being a solid and capable product mights stick around for years to come. The first home joystick for home users were released 30 years ago and until now it didn't change much, except for a bulky design and little shaking, which they call "force feedback". At least this model might prove to stand up to the name of this function, "force feedback" that is. As for Logitech, take G25 Racing Wheel as example compared to the other toys, which feel like toys, meaning less or no feeling. Maybe not 400 Euros, but 200 - 250 Euros might be a decent price for what it has to offer.

[570091D]

i can see the millitary being interested in this... but i can't believe they've been working on this thing for 4 years and they still have to put newspaper under it to soak up the leaks. :shakes:

[gumballguy]

LOL. When I saw that... thing, your second line was exactly what I thought.
A company would likely present it a bit better, likely without the newspapers under it.

And the clothes peg (thats the bit that keeps it from ripping your hand off) :ROTF:


As for Logitech, take G25 Racing Wheel as example compared to the other toys, which feel like toys, meaning less or no feeling. Maybe not 400 Euros, but 200 - 250 Euros might be a decent price for what it has to offer.

The G25 is rubbish compared to a real wheel (in a real car). It's a lot better than the other products on the market, but it still doesn't feel like a real steering wheel. Wheels have varying resistance as you tilt them. Do you drive? It's just not the same. I expect better for the price of a G25.

[kiwi]

XSAlliN, somehow I doubt it would be long lasting. I can't evaluate this joystick but I am changing my logitechs every 200-300 hours, they can't properly handle more :p: Let's assume this is much better, 1000 hours? Still not enough even for 3-4 years :)

[safan80]

talk about a prototype.

[inCore]

mech warrior would be great for this

The good ol' times when I went to an electronics store and got freaked out by the Microsoft SideWinder ForceFeedback Pro and got the non-force-feedback instead. Mechwarrior 3 was a great game.

*flashback*

[Ket]

Zzzzzzzz....Meh.......zzzzzzz...

[[XC] Lead Head]

And the clothes peg (thats the bit that keeps it from ripping your hand off) :ROTF:



The G25 is rubbish compared to a real wheel (in a real car). It's a lot better than the other products on the market, but it still doesn't feel like a real steering wheel. Wheels have varying resistance as you tilt them. Do you drive? It's just not the same. I expect better for the price of a G25.

The G25 can and does support varying resistance. You need to find the games out there that support it. Live for Speed is one of them.

[tool_462]

Somewhat like the Novint Falcon: http://home.novint.com/products/novint_falcon.php

Played with one at CES this year, was pretty cool.

[Bradan]

mech warrior would be great for this

+asskicker,some mean speakers and a cigar.

:rofl:
:D

[Stanley Pain]

Hahaha, great, so now my flightstick can actually break my wrists :up:

[Ket]

lol :D

[haylui]

i don't want a broken thumb after some games...LOLz

[ToTTenTranz]

The picture is from an "early prototype".
Still, it's not something you'd want to show in a presentation. Your investors would be angry, and your possible investors.. wouldn't invest.

[gumballguy]

Lead Head;3660739']The G25 can and does support varying resistance. You need to find the games out there that support it. Live for Speed is one of them.

Ah, thanks :)

[Bo_Fox]

Whoa! Can anybody say "Bam-bam" with this hydraulic-force joystick?